Rabbi Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg (October 1, 1910 – March 20, 2012) was a leading Haredi rabbi, posek(decisor of Jewish law), and Rosh Yeshiva (yeshiva head). He served as a bridge between the pre-World War II Torah centers of Europe, the developing Orthodox community of mid-century America, and the flourishing Torah world of modern Israel.

Renowned for his monumental Torah knowledge and warm, accessible demeanor, he lived to the age of 101 and was widely regarded as a Gadol HaDor (one of the premier rabbinic leaders of his generation).

Early Life and "All for the Boss"

• From Poland to New York: Born in Ostrov, Poland, he immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of nine, settling in the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

  
  

• A Rising Prodigy: After attending public school until age 14, he transferred to a yeshiva in New Haven, Connecticut. He was an incredibly diligent student; by sixteen and a half, he had mastered the entire Talmud. Despite his intense focus on study, he was also a well-liked, athletic American teenager, earning the nickname "Lefty Scheinberg" for his skill as a baseball shortstop.

  
  

• The Herman Connection: His exceptional qualities caught the eye of the legendary Orthodox pioneer Rabbi Yaakov Yosef Herman (whose life story was later immortalized in the bestselling book All for the Boss, authored by Rabbi Scheinberg's daughter, Ruchoma Shain). At age 19, Rabbi Scheinberg married Herman's daughter, Bessie.

  
  

European Studies and Return to America

Following their marriage, the young couple moved to Europe so Rabbi Scheinberg could study at the famous Mir Yeshiva in Belarus (then Poland). He was one of the very few American-raised students there. During this time, he also studied at the Kaminetz Yeshiva, receiving rabbinic ordination (semicha) from the renowned Rabbi Boruch Ber Leibowitz.

With World War II looming, his family returned to the United States in 1935. He spent the next 25 years serving as the mashgiach ruchani (spiritual supervisor) of the Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens, New York, where he became deeply influential in guiding young American Orthodox Jews.

Move to Israel and Torah Ore

In 1960, Rabbi Scheinberg founded Yeshivat Torah Ore in Brooklyn. A few years later, in 1965, he made the monumental decision to move the entire yeshiva, along with his family and students, to Jerusalem.

The yeshiva eventually settled in the Kiryat Mattersdorf neighborhood of Jerusalem. Because Rabbi Scheinberg was completely fluent in English and deeply understood Western culture, his home became a primary destination for thousands of American expats, students, and tourists seeking halachic rulings, marital advice, and spiritual guidance.

Notable Characteristics and Customs

Aside from his staggering brilliance, Rabbi Scheinberg was known for several unique personal traits:

• Wearing Dozens of Tzitzit: One of his most famous and visible customs was wearing dozens of pairs of tzitzit (ritual fringes) at the same time—sometimes numbering over 100 layers. He did this out of an immense love for the biblical commandment, looking to fulfill every possible halachic opinion regarding how the fringes should be spun, woven, and tied.

  
  

• The Ultimate Listener: Despite his busy schedule running a yeshiva and answering global legal queries, he was famous for his empathy. He taught his students that when someone speaks to you, you must listen with your entire mind and heart, rather than just waiting for your turn to talk.

  
  

• A Dynamic Author: He wrote several profound rabbinic texts, including Taba'at HaChoshen (a commentary on the classic legal text Ktzot HaChoshen) and Mishmeret Chaim, alongside popular transcripts of his ethical lectures.

  
  

Rabbi Scheinberg passed away in Jerusalem in 2012. Reflecting his immense status as a global leader, his funeral was attended by an estimated 70,000 mourners.

The following short video honors his memory and features historical footage capturing the immense funeral and the distinct warmth he radiated to all walks of life: Rabbi Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg Passes Away at 101